Looking to build a heavy healing control style deck similar to the elemental destruction/healing wave decks that were good a few seasons back. This is what I have so far, it's a mix of elemental, jade and control but it still doesn't feel quite right. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on why you chose certain cards as 1-of and 2-ofs. It would help to know what went into when advising on changes. So feel free to give that feedback.
In the meantime, Do you have a 0 board state often enough to warrant 2 Volcano? Especially dropping a lot of taunts as your defense against faster decks, it would be a shame to kill them off for your opponent. I feel like +1 Lightning Storm would serve better to fight against aggro decks and leave your taunts up to stall their reloaded board.
Tidal Surge is a nice tech card for that extra healing, but I wonder if it's too slow. You're killing 1 minion on turn 4 and gaining health. It also can't hit face so it becomes more of an insurance policy late game than anything that would be more impactful. I'd say maybe -1 Tidal Surge to free up that slot.
I'd consider a number of Devolve. There's a lot of death rattles, buffed minions, and the like worth ruining. Not to mention the slight chance you can devolve a Quest Rogues first minion to stop the quest chain. It's not complete removal, but it is annoying enough to consider.
You should really analyze Tol'vir Stoneshaper. I've not been all that excited about it. It's a hard card to deal with, but it also has trouble saving me in a tough spot and ruins any elemental chains. I'm not saying it's worth getting rid of, but it's on my list of things I'm watching closely.
Finally, Lightning Bolt has stopped being a staple in control, but Lava Burst has potential. It clears large minions, can help provide a last bit of defence against Rogue after they complete their quest or can just straight up burn the face. The card gives you versatility to really consider an aggressive game plan instead of all in on the defense. Especially when combined with Kalimos, Primal Lord burst options. Sometimes I find the biggest weakness of shaman control is that it can get all the value, but sometimes can't push that finishing blow when needed. A good burst is always welcome. Also just want to mention the potential power of Lava Burst with Hallazeal the Ascended.
Those are my thoughts, I've spent my time in Un'goro about 50% ele control shaman and 50% Dinomancy Hunter, so I definitely have more testing to do on the shaman list, which means I could be very wrong on several accounts. What I do know is that sometimes you just need a proactive game plan.
Thought that went into some of the 1-of and 2-of choices. I think I chose 2 Volcano as a replacement for elemental destruction specifically. It's roughly the same cost so I thought it would make a good replacement. Unfortunately I'm finding it's not nearly as good though if you're using it on a board with your own minions because that 15 damage doesn't go as long of a way as I had hoped. It just doesn't seem to be the "board clear" I was thinking it was going to be. +1 lightning storm does seem like a much better option.
Tidal surge was a replacement again, for healing wave, it's not as much healing but the added damage component seemed like a good trade. I was thinking of things like berserker in warrior decks, some of the 5 health minions with a spell power totem like tar creeper, the new priest legendary Lyria (sp) and things of that nature. Even quest rogue minions once they're 5/5's with the spell power totem.
I agree about the Tol'vir Stoneshaper, it's not living up to what I expected and the breaking of elemental chains is proving troublesome at times if you play it on curve otherwise you're sitting on it until you can play it with like a fire fly so keep further elementals proc'd.
I wanted to put devolve in, with taunt warrior and quest rogue and murloc paladin it seemed like it could come in handy but I didn't have room for it. Taking out a Tidal Surge could make room or one of the spots from removing Stoneshaper. I'll have to look at what other cards I could replace Stoneshaper with as well.
Someone also questioned about the Igneous Elemental and if it was worth it. I had just put it in there for the little elemental triggers for later turns but I don't know there would be something better, maybe Volatile Elemental or Thunder Lizard instead.
So if I -1 Volcano, -2 Stoneshaper, -1 Igneous Elemental I can +1 Lightning Storm, +1 Devolve +1 Lava Burst and have 1 card slot left over to add, possibly 2 if I -1 Tidal Surge as well, but I don't want to run too low on healing and direct damage spells. I could add another Blazecaller for more late game. Without Elemental Destruction I'm questioning Hallazeal as well since Volcano will top out at +15-16 health and potentially not even clear the board.
I think Jade Package is verry bad the only good jade card is basically claws but in this decktype you never wnat to play it turn 2 because you want akolythe or elemental on 3.
Firefly is way to weak, you dont need it in the early game since /Mealstrom,Doomsayer,Dirty rat can hold any aggro midrange deck atm.
Your Deck runs to many minions that arent any thread to anything, just healing and wait until enemy reaches wincondition is a terrible idea (See Priest)
I like some of the Jade cards like Jade Lightning for the removal, I suppose the deck might not have enough to make Aya worth it (would get a 6/6 at most) so removing her and claws for some other stuff like Elise, might work out. I'' give doomcaller/rat some thought, I don't really like the combo, it just feels like an uncertain board clear with the chance to backfire massively if rat pulls something amazing for opponent.
I toyed with the idea of earth elemental, I wasn't sure about it with the overload and messing with elementals though, can't earth elemental into fire elemental etc and with only fire plume or hotspring as low cost elementals triggers seem limited without fireflys.
Here is my little version, mainly because I am missing a couple of cards like I would like x2 doomsayers instead of 1, and I would run x1 Volcano. Otherwise this seems to do alright so far. Not too many games though.
This is my version of control shamy, it's going pretty well for me climbing a few ranks from 9~6 (the college is not leting me play a lot these days). Spirit Echo is a lot better than I thought and using it with ancestral spirit is simple awesome. There was a game when I played 6 The Storm Guardians. Is a really greed deck I know it, but sometimes against quest warrior I feel like I need this greed.
And about Tidal Surge, after we lose Healing Wave I felt like I should run this card in a Y'Shaarj deck, if it pulls your healing minions is a great value loss.
So when you play a jade elemental hybrid control shaman it is just weaker than midrange elemental shaman which is the same deck but faster. There are reasons to play shaman as control though, spirit echo and whit eyes and volcano are all great. Another thing is that Elise is really good in any control, and what th spirit echo you can out fatigue any control deck other than a weird Elise bounce deck. You can also play a shaman with a youthful brewmaster is two if you hit a lot of control to get insane Elise value. Other options include control quest shaman. That is an idea I had where you run several murlocs but also youthful a and echo and you turn megafin into a repeated value engine. And apart from that the deck isn't like some of the slower Murdock paladins, but with so much more value that other control loses to.
Most of those ideas are just weird gimmicks but I obsess over weird decks like those. And if you are playing control shaman those weird decks are more interesting and sometimes better than slower versions of the midrange shaman decks.
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Just fill your deck with one drops, that is creative deck design, right?
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Looking to build a heavy healing control style deck similar to the elemental destruction/healing wave decks that were good a few seasons back. This is what I have so far, it's a mix of elemental, jade and control but it still doesn't feel quite right. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on why you chose certain cards as 1-of and 2-ofs. It would help to know what went into when advising on changes. So feel free to give that feedback.
In the meantime, Do you have a 0 board state often enough to warrant 2 Volcano? Especially dropping a lot of taunts as your defense against faster decks, it would be a shame to kill them off for your opponent. I feel like +1 Lightning Storm would serve better to fight against aggro decks and leave your taunts up to stall their reloaded board.
Tidal Surge is a nice tech card for that extra healing, but I wonder if it's too slow. You're killing 1 minion on turn 4 and gaining health. It also can't hit face so it becomes more of an insurance policy late game than anything that would be more impactful. I'd say maybe -1 Tidal Surge to free up that slot.
I'd consider a number of Devolve. There's a lot of death rattles, buffed minions, and the like worth ruining. Not to mention the slight chance you can devolve a Quest Rogues first minion to stop the quest chain. It's not complete removal, but it is annoying enough to consider.
You should really analyze Tol'vir Stoneshaper. I've not been all that excited about it. It's a hard card to deal with, but it also has trouble saving me in a tough spot and ruins any elemental chains. I'm not saying it's worth getting rid of, but it's on my list of things I'm watching closely.
Finally, Lightning Bolt has stopped being a staple in control, but Lava Burst has potential. It clears large minions, can help provide a last bit of defence against Rogue after they complete their quest or can just straight up burn the face. The card gives you versatility to really consider an aggressive game plan instead of all in on the defense. Especially when combined with Kalimos, Primal Lord burst options. Sometimes I find the biggest weakness of shaman control is that it can get all the value, but sometimes can't push that finishing blow when needed. A good burst is always welcome. Also just want to mention the potential power of Lava Burst with Hallazeal the Ascended.
Those are my thoughts, I've spent my time in Un'goro about 50% ele control shaman and 50% Dinomancy Hunter, so I definitely have more testing to do on the shaman list, which means I could be very wrong on several accounts. What I do know is that sometimes you just need a proactive game plan.
Thanks for the great feedback Ggjeed!
Thought that went into some of the 1-of and 2-of choices. I think I chose 2 Volcano as a replacement for elemental destruction specifically. It's roughly the same cost so I thought it would make a good replacement. Unfortunately I'm finding it's not nearly as good though if you're using it on a board with your own minions because that 15 damage doesn't go as long of a way as I had hoped. It just doesn't seem to be the "board clear" I was thinking it was going to be. +1 lightning storm does seem like a much better option.
Tidal surge was a replacement again, for healing wave, it's not as much healing but the added damage component seemed like a good trade. I was thinking of things like berserker in warrior decks, some of the 5 health minions with a spell power totem like tar creeper, the new priest legendary Lyria (sp) and things of that nature. Even quest rogue minions once they're 5/5's with the spell power totem.
I agree about the Tol'vir Stoneshaper, it's not living up to what I expected and the breaking of elemental chains is proving troublesome at times if you play it on curve otherwise you're sitting on it until you can play it with like a fire fly so keep further elementals proc'd.
I wanted to put devolve in, with taunt warrior and quest rogue and murloc paladin it seemed like it could come in handy but I didn't have room for it. Taking out a Tidal Surge could make room or one of the spots from removing Stoneshaper. I'll have to look at what other cards I could replace Stoneshaper with as well.
Someone also questioned about the Igneous Elemental and if it was worth it. I had just put it in there for the little elemental triggers for later turns but I don't know there would be something better, maybe Volatile Elemental or Thunder Lizard instead.
So if I -1 Volcano, -2 Stoneshaper, -1 Igneous Elemental I can +1 Lightning Storm, +1 Devolve +1 Lava Burst and have 1 card slot left over to add, possibly 2 if I -1 Tidal Surge as well, but I don't want to run too low on healing and direct damage spells. I could add another Blazecaller for more late game. Without Elemental Destruction I'm questioning Hallazeal as well since Volcano will top out at +15-16 health and potentially not even clear the board.
I reached Legend with this baby here:
I think Jade Package is verry bad the only good jade card is basically claws but in this decktype you never wnat to play it turn 2 because you want akolythe or elemental on 3.
Firefly is way to weak, you dont need it in the early game since /Mealstrom,Doomsayer,Dirty rat can hold any aggro midrange deck atm.
Your Deck runs to many minions that arent any thread to anything, just healing and wait until enemy reaches wincondition is a terrible idea (See Priest)
Thanks for the response Mucloc,
I like some of the Jade cards like Jade Lightning for the removal, I suppose the deck might not have enough to make Aya worth it (would get a 6/6 at most) so removing her and claws for some other stuff like Elise, might work out. I'' give doomcaller/rat some thought, I don't really like the combo, it just feels like an uncertain board clear with the chance to backfire massively if rat pulls something amazing for opponent.
I toyed with the idea of earth elemental, I wasn't sure about it with the overload and messing with elementals though, can't earth elemental into fire elemental etc and with only fire plume or hotspring as low cost elementals triggers seem limited without fireflys.
Here is my little version, mainly because I am missing a couple of cards like I would like x2 doomsayers instead of 1, and I would run x1 Volcano. Otherwise this seems to do alright so far. Not too many games though.
This is my version of control shamy, it's going pretty well for me climbing a few ranks from 9~6 (the college is not leting me play a lot these days). Spirit Echo is a lot better than I thought and using it with ancestral spirit is simple awesome. There was a game when I played 6 The Storm Guardians. Is a really greed deck I know it, but sometimes against quest warrior I feel like I need this greed.
And about Tidal Surge, after we lose Healing Wave I felt like I should run this card in a Y'Shaarj deck, if it pulls your healing minions is a great value loss.
So when you play a jade elemental hybrid control shaman it is just weaker than midrange elemental shaman which is the same deck but faster. There are reasons to play shaman as control though, spirit echo and whit eyes and volcano are all great. Another thing is that Elise is really good in any control, and what th spirit echo you can out fatigue any control deck other than a weird Elise bounce deck. You can also play a shaman with a youthful brewmaster is two if you hit a lot of control to get insane Elise value. Other options include control quest shaman. That is an idea I had where you run several murlocs but also youthful a and echo and you turn megafin into a repeated value engine. And apart from that the deck isn't like some of the slower Murdock paladins, but with so much more value that other control loses to.
Most of those ideas are just weird gimmicks but I obsess over weird decks like those. And if you are playing control shaman those weird decks are more interesting and sometimes better than slower versions of the midrange shaman decks.
Just fill your deck with one drops, that is creative deck design, right?